166 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

in line with the religious principles. Dear Lord Yadunandana, we may
inform You that we brahmanas posted Romaharsana Sita on that exalted
position for the duration of this great sacrifice. He was seated on the
Vyasasana by our election, and when one is seated on the Vyasasana, it is
improper for him to stand up to receive a person. Moreover, we awarded
Romaharsana Sita an undisturbed duration of life. Under the circum-
stances, since Your Lordship has killed him without knowing all these
facts, we think that Your action has been equal to that of killing a brah-
mana. Dear Lord, deliverer of all fallen souls, we know certainly that You
are the knower of all Vedic principles. You are the master of all mystic
powers; therefore ordinarily the Vedic injunctions cannot be applied to
Your personality. But we request that You show Your causeless mercy
upon others by kindly atoning for this killing of Romaharsana Siita. We
do not, however, suggest what kind of act You should perform to atone
for killing him; we simply suggest that some method of atonement be
adopted by You so that others may follow Your action. What is done by
a great personality is followed by the ordinary man.”

The Lord replied, “Yes, I must atone for this action, which may have
been proper for Me, but is improper for others; therefore, I think it is My
duty to execute a suitable act of atonement enjoined in the authorized
scriptures. Simultaneously I can also give this Romaharsana Sita life
again, with a span of long duration, sufficient strength, and full power
of the senses. Not only this, if you desire, I shall be glad to award
him anything else which you may ask. I shall be very glad to grant all
these boons in order to fulfill your desires.”

This statement of Lord Balarama definitely confirms that the Supreme
Personality of Godhead is free to act in any way. Although it may be
considered that His killing of Romaharsana Sita was improper, He could
immediately counteract the action with greater profit to all. Therefore,
one should not imitate the actions of the Supreme Personality of God-
head; one should simply follow the instructions of the Lord. All the great
learned sages present realized that although they considered the action of
Lord Balarama to be improper, the Lord was able to immediately compen-
sate with greater profits. Not wanting to detract from the mission of the
Lord in killing Romaharsana Sita, all of them prayed, “Our dear Lord, the
uncommon use of Your kusa weapon to kill Romahargana Sata may remain
as it is; because of Your desire to kill him, he should not be brought to
life again. At the same time Your Lordship may remember that we sages
and brahmanas voluntarily gave him long life; therefore, such a benediction
should not be nullified.” Thus the request of all the learned brahmanas in
